Thermal performance evaluation of a residence through EnergyPlus simulations

Abstract

The building thermal performance is directly associated with the geographical and climatic factors of the place and the choices made by designers. A method of evaluate the thermal comfort of a building occupancy is through the adaptive model for naturally conditioned spaces present in ASHRAE55. It enables the definition of the maximum and minimum limits of the comfort zone and to verify the conditions of the internal operating temperature of the environment. One way to achieve internal operating temperatures is through computer simulations in the EnergyPlus software. The investigation of the building thermal performance makes possible the study of alternatives of design and materials, seeking solutions that increase the period of comfort without the use of electrical systems. The aim of this work is to evaluate the thermal performance of the living and social environments of a single-family dwelling located in the city of Campinas, as well as the alternatives of design and construction materials proposed to reduce the period of discomfort. The evaluation developed indicated a total of 2,574 discomfort degree hours in the year for the period of occupation (14-22h). Twenty-four alternative simulations were performed for these spaces, changing the layers and construction materials that make up the roof, floor, windows, internal walls and sun protection elements, as well as three simulations that blended these alternatives. The results show that it is possible to reduce the discomfort load in different ways, from cheap and simple solutions such as white tile painting and thinning of the floor slab, to solutions with more specific and expensive materials such as the use of glass insulated.